Moving can become a logistical nightmare where one forgotten task delays your move, adds additional expenses, or makes for a very bad day.
Unless you’re a frequent mover, how can you anticipate every nuance, including how far in advance to plan and execute? For example, have you considered what to do with your frozen foods?
There’s too much on your plate to just wing it, and you shouldn’t be expected to.
Our moving checklist guide removes the guesswork by setting weekly goals as far back as two months from moving day.
Don’t have months until the big day? It’s ok, but you better start catching up today.
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A Smooth Move Starts With a Detailed Checklist
Stay on top of tasks and avoid moving-day chaos. Download your moving checklist and box tracker now.
Two Months Before Moving
Advanced planning is the key to a successful move. Two months is the sweet spot where moving trucks and transportation reservations are within reach, and your action plan can begin taking shape—like choosing a moving truck, shipping container, or full white-glove service.
Your move’s budget, distance, and size often determine the choice between a truck or a moving container. Start planning your budget, then find the best solution to fit within it.
Today, many moving companies will complete virtual walk-throughs to determine the size of a truck or container. It’s never too early to start bidding movers, and comparing costs will help guide your next steps.
To ensure a more accurate moving bid, complete your own walk-through to inventory which items are coming with you and what can be sold or donated. Don’t forget to survey your attic, basement, crawl space, and garage.
2 Month Checklist
✅ Inventory your belongings, accessing your attic, garage, and basement to determine what to keep, sell, or donate.
✅ Obtain bids from a variety of moving companies
✅ Determine if a moving container or truck is your best option
✅ Throw a yard sale or call a donation company
Moving Tip: PODS-style containers are a moving Swiss army knife. A common example is the flexibility for long-distance movers transitioning into a temporary home, like an apartment or rental, while a new home is completed or found. Moving containers allows you to pack the essentials in container one to be sent to the temporary home while storing the rest of the house in a second container awaiting in a storage facility. Compare moving containers
Four Weeks Before Moving Day
At the four-week mark, it’s time to start organizing and preparing for packing, including purchasing or finding moving boxes.
Big box hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes often have better deals on cardboard boxes than moving or storage companies. Checking neighborhood apps like Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace is an excellent way to find free boxes.
The number of boxes used during a move can vary widely depending on the size of the home, the amount of belongings, and how densely the boxes are packed. However, for a general idea, the average American moving from a typical home might use:
- Studio or One-Bedroom Apartment: Approximately 20 to 40 boxes.
- Two-Bedroom Home: Around 40 to 60 boxes.
- Three-Bedroom Home: Typically 60 to 80 boxes.
- Four or More Bedroom Home: 80 to 100 or more boxes.
These estimates are based on a mix of small, medium, large, and wardrobe boxes and assume a moderate amount of belongings per household member. It’s common for moves to require additional specialty boxes for items like TVs, artwork, mirrors, and lamps.
4 Week Checklist
✅ Purchase cardboard boxes, include small, medium, large, and specialty boxes
✅ Start organizing which items can be packed early
✅ Start eating the frozen foods from your freezer
✅ Map out your travel schedule and begin making reservations at hotels
✅ Schedule cleaners for your old and new home
Large, dedicated freezers can take two weeks to thaw out. Empty it out, unplug it, and ensure the doors are pried open to avoid mold and mildew while drying and during shipping.
If traveling with pets, start mapping out pet-friendly hotels. Be prepared to pay pet deposits. Some are refundable, and other hotels are not. Hyatt, IHG, and Hilton have the highest percentage of pet-friendly hotels.
Moving advice
Increase your odds of a quick sale, earning more money, or saving your rental deposit by hiring a professional cleaner. A study by HomeLight found home sellers who invest in cleaners earned $3,700 more.
Three Weeks Before Moving Day
At the three-week mark, it’s time to get proactive.
Start packing items in each room that will not be used in the coming weeks, and label each box naming the room and contents (i.e., kitchen – bakeware, i.e., kids’ bedroom, stuffed animals, etc.). Number your boxes and listing essential items in each box using the downloadable box tracking list included in our moving checklist.
A Smooth Move Starts With a Detailed Checklist
Stay on top of tasks and avoid moving-day chaos. Download your moving checklist and box tracker now.
3 Week Checklist
✅ Start packing unused rooms and items
✅ Hold another garage sale or list more items online (you always find new items to sell when packing begins)
✅ Schedule the disconnection of utilities (gas, power, water, sewer, trash)
✅ Contact the US Postal Service to schedule an address change and mail stop
✅ Update magazines or subscriptions auto-delivered to your home
✅ Take all hazardous wastes, such as old paint, chemicals, pesticides, batteries, old light bulbs, and flammable liquids, to be properly disposed of. You cannot ship these items
Two Weeks Before Moving Day
Things are getting real. Packing always takes longer than expected, especially the final small items. Packing persistence pays off in moving, so get done what you can while continuing to coordinate your transition.
Next week will be busy, so the more packing you accomplish in advance, the smoother your move will be.
2 Week Checklist
✅ Obtain quotes or call your current insurance companies. This includes renters insurance and auto insurance
✅ Research the licensing and registration process in your new state; you may need to return your license plate to your prior state’s DMV.
✅ Gather all records and information to leave for the new owner if selling and leaving appliances. These are easily packed.
Don't Forget!
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Seven Days Before Moving Day
The final countdown is here. Misplacing essential items like passports, chargers, and toiletries is easy in the packing fury, so set aside a safe space like a specialty box, kitchen drawer, or cabinet.
Day seven is to organize your personal items, confirm your logistics, and long days of packing.
If you decide on a moving container, many companies will drop off days in advance for no additional charge. Loading boxes and furniture early is an excellent way to jump-start your move, but remember to plan your packing—you still need to fit your mattresses and bed frames.
7 Day Checklist
✅ Empty, defrost, and clean your refrigerator and freezer
✅ Confirm your moving truck or container is still scheduled
✅ Place vital documents and records in a safe box
✅ Check tires and fluids to ready your travel vehicle
✅ Pack suitcases for everyone
✅ Pack snacks, pet’s food, bowls, leashes, collars
Moving Day
On the big day, either your moving truck arrived and it’s all hands on deck to load it, or you’re finalizing your moving container and ready to lock it up and hit the road.
Ideally, today is left for you to secure your travel vehicle, let your family or friends know your itinerary, and safely start your travels.
Moving Day Checklist
✅ Send a friend or family member your itinerary if traveling long-distance
✅ Pack your vehicle with all your travel items, including suitcases, snacks, and documents
✅ Complete a final walk-through checking drawers, cabinets, and closets
Final Thoughts
A move doesn’t need to become a stressful, challenging time. By planning and preparing in advance, moving day can be an exciting goodbye to the old and a fresh start in a new place.
Your move is unique. But by following along with our mover’s checklist, the essentials of moving are covered, leaving you more time to pack and less time to stress.
Good luck with your move!
